Brazilian Independence

In 1822 Brazil achieved independence from Portugal almost without war when prince regent Dom Pedro declared himself emperor of an independent Brazil.

Overview

Unlike Spanish America, Brazil avoided mass war because the Portuguese royal family had ruled from Rio de Janeiro since 1808, raising Brazil to a united kingdom with Portugal in 1815. When the Lisbon courts demanded that John VI return and reduce Brazil to colonial status, pressure grew among Brazilian elites for autonomy. Dom Pedro, left as prince regent, was urged forward by planters and advisors and declared independence at the Ipiranga river in September 1822 with the cry of independence or death. Loyalist resistance in some provinces was crushed within a year. Brazil entered independence as a constitutional monarchy, preserving national unity, the slave system, and territorial continuity unique in the Americas.